PNP dismisses cop in torture video - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

PNP dismisses cop in torture video - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Quick action vowed on other cases

By Alcuin Papa, Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:49:00 01/13/2011

Filed Under: Police, Crime, Human Rights, Punishment

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila policeman who was caught on video torturing a suspected robber inside a police station last year has been dismissed from the service.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo denied last week a motion for reconsideration filed by Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, former commander of the police precinct in Asuncion, Tondo.

The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service had officially dismissed Binayug last year.

“His motion for reconsideration was denied last week by the Chief PNP. As such, he has been dismissed and his benefits have been stripped,” Cruz told the Inquirer.

Earlier, the Inquirer learned of Binayug’s dismissal from Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during a press briefing at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) office in Makati City.

“Binayug was dismissed based on charges [of] violating the Anti-Torture Act …” Robredo said.

In August, a video of a man, believed to be Binayug, torturing a suspected robber, was aired by a television network. It showed him hitting the naked suspect and pulling a string tied to the latter’s genitals. The video sparked outrage from the Commission on Human Rights as well as local and international rights groups.

Cruz said the PNP gave Binayug “due process” in the dismissal proceedings.

“His charge was grave misconduct related to the torture of the suspect. We will never tolerate such acts more so if they are committed by our men,” he added.

The dismissal of Binayug comes on the heels of criticism being thrown at the PNP leadership for a series of crimes—ranging from rape, murder and kidnapping—reportedly perpetrated by men in uniform. The PNP leadership had vowed to get tough on rogues in uniform.

Meanwhile, a Napolcom official said the agency would act as the complainant or representative of witnesses who were reluctant to file charges against policemen.

Napolcom vice chair Eduardo Escueta said the move was meant to fast-track the resolution of high profile cases involving law enforcers.

“In sensational cases, Napolcom will take motu propio action and act as the complainant to expedite the cases,” he told reporters during a press briefing on the status of various cases filed against lawmen.

“This means that we will not wait for a complainant to file a complaint. This way, we will be faster in finding probable cause and in issuing preventive suspension orders and we can easily move the summary proceedings for the dismissal or demotion of police officers involved,” he added.